Gobi Challenge is complete for 2010 and what a great race it was.
We set off from Ulan Bataar airport on the Fokker 50 to Danlanzagad which was a pretty bumpy flight but we survived it. At the airport we were met by Phil Briggs and the drivers who were to take us to the first campsiite which was just under an hrs drive away. There are no such things as roads around here so the vans set off over some undulating terrain and the drivers fly over any bumps, probably trying to see if they can make any of us hit our heads on the ceiling!
When we got to the camp we we greeted by Dave Scott as well as Al (aka Neptune) and some other runners were already there as they had done the cycle from UB - Donnie, Robert, Tim and Tony had done the cycle and were ready to start the run. Phil and Dave had also done the cycle so these lot were pretty tired by the time the event even set off.
The first stage started at 6am and we all set off together on a 28km run along a track and into an ice gorge. This was pretty spectacular, you don't expect to run across a desert and find an ice gorge. Crossing it was interesting to say the least, I was a bit like bambi on ice and had a few falls. It probably didnt help that I was laughing too much to pay attention to staying upright. I think most people slipped at least once here. Once out of the gorge it was a long track to the finish of the route, actually it wasn't that long it just felt like it. Every time you got to the crest of a hill you were convinced you would see the camp but it took a lot longer than expected. I ran the vast majority of the day with Jason Brooks (USA)
After the first stage was done everyone was settled into the race and the group was split into 2 start times for the following day, 6am and 7am depending on how long it had taken.
The next day we set off up the same track as the first day but turned off to the right a few km in up a steepish climb. I ran this day with Phil and we kept each other going with a run/walk strategy. At points on this day we could see the checkpoints and camp for several km but it never seemed to get any closer. During the early part of the day the temperature was not rising too high but seemed to creep up once in camp and it was difficult to find any shade except in the tents which were boiling hot. At points people took to finding the tiniest patch of shade behind the parked crew vans. Given that the temperature was not as high as the previous week I guess we were lucky. After this stage Tim, who had done the cycle too, was suffering with his calf so took the decision to retire. Robert was also suffering with stomach problems so himself and Donnie had been forced to take it as easy as possible.
Day 3 should have been a fairly fast one as it was pretty flat and on the plains and it started out like that. The temperature was low but unfortunately the wind picked up and was against us so it made running a massive effort so again it was more of a run/walk. Robert was feeling a lot better this day and himself and Donnie cruised through the day like they hadn't already done a week of cycling. Unfortunately the next day Robert suffered again with his stomach and had to withdraw.
Day 4 finally brought some higher temperatures so the aim was to get it done as fast as possible. The first 20ish km was fairly easy then it was up the hill to the next checkpoiint, you could see the CP almost from the last CP which can be a bit soul destroying as it never seems to get any closer.
Once up at the CP Dave nicely informed us that the camp was just around the corner but we had to do an 8.5km loop to get to it. Myself and Ben set off together from this CP and it was about a km of nice running track before the marker flags indicated we were to turn off uo a sandy river bed which was a trudge and we were glad when it was done. This turn off was clearly marked but somehow one of the local runners who is a celeb over there as a professional athlete (2 mongolians were running a supported version of the race) managed to miss it. An amateur mistake which cost him his race as he went several km off the course and ended up getting driven back by his support crew. Regardless of the extra distance he has covered the rules are clear, even for a supported race, once you get in a moving vehicle you are out of the race. It is unclear how he missed the turning off as it clearly marked, the other mongolian runner managed to see it as did all of the other runners.
Day 5 was some along the plains and a small taste of the dune day to come. This was my best days running as I set off after the leader, Jason Brooks, and had him in my sights for a while. I managed to come in about 13mins behind him on this day so was pretty pleased.
Deborah Stott, who had started the event with a bad ankle, went over on her ankle on the dunes during this stage but managed to get through the event. She is a very tough lady to be able to do this.
Day 6 was the day climbed the highest sand dune in asia. First we had to climb a smaller one which was tough enough and set off for several km along the plains to get to the CP before THE DUNE. This was based at the finish line so we actually had to pass the race finish long before we actually finished it. Having reached here we were advised not to take the same route up that Ben and Jason had gone as they had been stuck for about 10mins in the same place without moving. It was a really tough climb, especially considering we had already done nearly 140miles and I eventually got up it on my hands and knees in sections. Myself, Phil and Donnie set off across the ridge to where Phil Briggs was waiting. This was the point we would descend. The ridge was pretty steep and with the wind there were a few times I lost my balance so thankfully Phil was just behind to stop me falling. We had one last steep climb before we could descend. Phil B was just watching us and laughing at our attempts. It was a great relief once we actually got there, now for the fun part, running down!
Once down it took next to no time to get to the finish. We arrived to see Charlie, Jason and Ben had finshed too and that Debs had reached the CP and was waiting to be allowed to head up the dune. A storm was on the way so for safety she was to wait it out. She didn't have long to wait and set off (in pain with her ankle). Jon and Denise had already set off but a while later it was apparent things were not right. Denise had been suffering with her feet for some time but was really suffering now and was also getting dehyrdated. They stopped along the ridge and slid down the dune a bit to wait for help. The race doc, Duncan, set off to see to her and sent someone back for the stretcher. Another couple of competitors (Andrew and Steve Saffin) went to help, Andrew is also a doctor. Denise was brought down via stretcher and looked in a bad way but they good fluids into her and brought her temperature down and gradually she improved. It was a worrying time but she was well looked after.
Throughout this time Debs was still strugglling along the ridge with her bad ankle. After an amazing 15hrs out on the final day she crossed the finish line. Absolutely outstanding!!
Well done to everyone who finished and to those who had to retire after putting in so much effort.
The following day we had a 10hr drive back to Dalanzagad where we would stay in Ger camps for one night before flying back to UB. The journey back was pretty bad, we were in 5 vans and if one stopped everyone had to. One of the vans had 2 punctures within a few hrs so a couple of hours were spent waiting for them to be done. Another van seemed to break down every few minutes but eventaully we got back and went out to one of the driver's cafe for dinner and awards.
The next morning we were split into 2 different flights, myself and 9 others were on a lunchtime one but half of the group did not have their e tickets as the airline hadn't handed them back on the way out. The check in staff we refusing to let them on even though all the details were in front of her. She even wrote out the boarding cards and had ticked their names off on the list and taken the luggage so we knew she would let them on. After a while she handed me the cards and just said don't do it again, we were free to get the flight back to UB.
After a scary ride through UB we were dropped at the guesthouse for one night. Most of us went out for something to eat and a few drinks but while the majority of us came back for a few hrs sleep some stayed out. We were picked up for our flight about 530am, unfortunately the person who had the locker key in which myself and Al Silcock's passports were in was still out somewhere on the town. This prompted a mad dash to Inge's flat (guesthouse owner) for the spare set. Not the best start to the journey back.
We got there on time to find poor Jon and Denise had been told their tickets were not valid and were being shunted from queue to queue. After some time they got their boarding card for the first flight but not the connection so would have to pick up their luggage in Moscow and re check it. The rest of us were checked all the way throught to London. Some of us only had a 50minute layover between flights.
As before the first flight was a bit late leaving (no announcement made of course, that would mean having some form of customer care). The crew really didn't want to be there and one (rather manly) air stewardess in particular shouted at some poor guy because he hadn't understood what she had said. Scary Scary airline.
We managed to land on time and make it to the connection - which was late, I wonder if they ever tell people it s going to be delayed or if its just a game they play to keep themselves amused, see how many people they can make lose it completely.
The flight was fairly uneventful but it was a bit ominous when leaving the staff said good bye and GOOD LUCK. Turned out we needed luck and didn't get it. Our bags were not on the flight and once we eventually located an Aeroflot rep we were told they were in moscow and had been loaded onto the next flight. They are meant to be delivered today, hmmmm we will see.
Next time I do this race I'll be flying via Bejiing I'd say, no way I'm going with Aeroflop again. Possibly the worst airline in the world.
Anyway enough ranting. The race was superb, so much better than MdeS and would recommend it to anyone. It was great to meet a bunch of new runners and walkers and hopefully we will meet at some more races in the future. Everyone did well at all levels and I was personally delighted to be the first female and 3rd overall.
Thanks to Dave Scott, Phil Briggs, Al "Neptune" Bruce, Duncan the doc and all the locals who were involved in crewing for the race. A well run event as always. Look forward to the next few
Eagle Isle 28th-30th Aug http://www.eagleisleultra.com/
Indo Ultra 21st-31st Oct http://www.indoultra.co.uk/
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
